What is the Pelvic Floor?
What is the Pelvic Floor?
The pelvic floor is a vital but often overlooked part of the body, playing a crucial role in various bodily functions. In this blog post, we'll explore what the pelvic floor is, its anatomy, function, common issues, and how pelvic floor physical therapy can help maintain pelvic health. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues that form a sling-like structure at the base of the pelvis. It spans from the pubic bone at the front to the coccyx (tailbone) at the back, and laterally between the ischial tuberosities (sitting bones).
The pelvic floor muscles have several essential functions, including:
Support: The pelvic floor provides support to the pelvic organs, including the bladder, uterus, and rectum, helping maintain continence and preventing pelvic organ prolapse.
Sexual Function: The pelvic floor plays a role in sexual function, contributing to arousal and orgasm.
Stability: The pelvic floor muscles contribute to pelvic stability, assisting in maintaining proper alignment of the pelvis and spine. The pelvic floor forms part of the body’s core musculature, working in conjunction with deep abdominals and back muscles.
Bowel and Bladder Control: The pelvic floor muscles help control bowel and bladder function, facilitating urine and stool retention and release.
Circulation: The pelvic floor muscles aid in venous and lymphatic return from the lower extremities and pelvis.
Pelvic floor dysfunction can manifest in various ways, leading to symptoms such as:
Urinary Incontinence (Stress, Urge, Mixed)
Pelvic Organ Prolapse (Bladder, Uterus, Rectum)
Pelvic Pain (e.g., Vulvodynia, Pudendal Neuralgia)
Pain with Penetrative Intercourse (Dyspareunia)
Postpartum Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (Diastasis Recti, Perineal Tears)
Fecal Incontinence
Constipation and Bowel Dysfunction
Chronic Lower Back and Hip Pain
Endometriosis-related Pelvic Pain
Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome
Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Dysfunction
Coccydynia (Tailbone Pain)
Pregnancy-related Pelvic Pain (e.g., Pubic Symphysis Dysfunction)
Menopause-related Pelvic Changes (e.g., Vaginal Atrophy)
Curious if pelvic floor therapy is right for you? Schedule a free discovery call with our team to learn more about your options. 👇